WA surfers hoping for wildcard into the Margaret River Pro

Surfers Point, Margaret River, 9 April2018

Jack Robinson. Photo credit: Kirstin

West Australian surfing hopefuls eyewild card into Margaret River Pro

The Margaret River Pro, the third stop on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), is held from 11 to 22 April 2018, attracting the world’s best 34 male (plus two wild cards) and 17 female (plus one wild card) surf athletes to the south west to compete for CT points.

The Drug Aware WA Trials provides an unparalleled opportunity for local surfers.

Margaret River’s Jack Robinson is no stranger to the WA Trials having contested them five times before, quite a feat for someone who’s just turned 20.

“I’m feeling the best I’ve ever felt. I feel ready,” the full-time World Qualifying Series (WQS) surfer said.

“I did get a wildcard entry into the Pro that that WSL granted back in 2016, but I didn’t do well then, I got knocked out early.

“My goal is to qualify for the CT. I’m working towards that every day, always training, keeping up good nutrition and the like. The WA Trials is a great opportunity.

“Having the Pro in Margaret River is really inspiring – I grew up going to it every year and now I’m surfing against some of the competitors I used to watch. It gives kids inspiration and it’s great that they can watch their heroes surf here,” Jack said.

Cottesloe local Jake Edwards earned himself a place to compete in the WA Trials when he won the HIF WA Pro Am in Margaret River earlier in the year.

Jake, 21, is studying law and commerce at Notre Dame University and fits surfing around his studies.

“I’m feeling pretty good about the Trials. I’m taking it seriously and I’ve been surfing Main Break all week and getting some coaching,” Jake said.

“It’s every surfers dream to compete in the main event. It’s a great opportunity.”

There are 12 hopefuls in the men’s WA Trials and nine in the women’s.

Felicity Palmateer, a full time WQS surfer, said she has renewed motivation to step up her surfing this year.

“I feel my best right now – I’m with my family, I’m feeling in tune and grounded. I’ve been back in Margaret River for over a week now and I’ve surfed Main Break every day,” said the 25-year-old.

“After a couple of good Big Wave events and the experience I’ve gained in some CT events and in the QS, I’m really motivated and my goal is to qualify for the CT.

“A few years ago I missed out on qualifying for the CT by one spot and I wasn’t feeling my best then. Why wouldn’t I try now when I’m feeling my best? I want to live without regrets,” Felicity said.

Gracetown surfer Laura Macaulay, 26, is in the final stage of completing her physiotherapy degree from Curtin University and is excited about the next chapter in her life.

“The past couple of years I’ve prioritised my studies to finish my degree and I’m almost there. I’m now deciding whether to really focus on my surfing or join the workforce. With surfing, the ultimate goal would be to compete in the CT with Bronte,” Laura said, referring to her younger sister who is the only West Australian competing in the sport’s top tier.

“I feel really lucky to have a place in the Trials because it’s such a good opportunity to take my surfing up a level and an opportunity to surf locally.

“We’re lucky to have a CT event at home, it definitely inspires all local surfers.

“Surfing Main Break is pretty prestigious even if it’s not my favourite wave –North Point is – but when you get a good wave at Main Break you feel pretty amazing.

“I’d love to see the Pro take place at North Point. It’s a wave that doesn’t break very often, but when it does it’s really amazing. If the swell was big enough and clean enough, I reckon it’s be great to watch – I’m sure some of the surfers would get some great air!”

The Drug Aware WA Trials start at 7am tomorrow and will finish by 3pm.

This year is the 33rd edition of the Margaret River Pro and will be held at Surfers Point with competition taking place on waves at Main Break, The Box and North Point.

The world’s best surfers including John John Florence, Gabriel Medina, Joel Parkinson, Stephanie Gilmore and local surfing inspiration Bronte Macaulay will compete for World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) points over 12 days.

The State Government is a proud supporter of the event through Tourism WA's Regional Events Program.

To find out if the Margaret River Pro is ON, OFF or ON HOLD, please follow Surfing WA on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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Watch the action
You can catch all the action on competition days live on the WSL official website and app, or at the Drug Aware Chill Out Zone live site in Reuther Park in Margaret River town centre.

The world’s best surfers including John John Florence, Gabriel Medina, Joel Parkinson, Stephanie Gilmore and local surfing inspiration Bronte Macaulay will compete for World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) points over 12 days.

The State Government is a proud supporter of the event through Tourism WA's Regional Events Program.